You Cannot Hide From God - You Must Be Born Again - Part 4

Everyone has issues - physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual problems that prevent us from having a personal relationship with God. Some of us cover these issues with busy lives, silence, outward success, or avoidance. But no matter how we try to hide, Jesus sees it all.

The Woman at the Well: A Story of Hiding and Finding
In John 4, we meet a woman with a troubled past, a present burden, and an uncertain future. Jesus meets her at a well in the heat of the day - not to condemn her, but to restore her.

This woman went to draw water at midday, during the hottest part of the day, rather than in the early morning when other women would be there. Why? She didn't want to be reminded of her past. She was avoiding people who knew her story.

Can Sexual Relationships Fill a Spiritual Void?
This woman had a deep need she was trying to cover through sexual indulgence. She had five husbands previously and was now with a sixth man who wasn't her husband. She was seeking to quench a spiritual brokenness through physical activities.

Our society today is similarly consumed with sexual desires. Many people use sex to try to satisfy a longing in their hearts. But overindulgence in sex cannot satisfy that spiritual desire - only Jesus can.

Why Can't Physical Pleasures Satisfy Spiritual Needs?
You cannot satisfy spiritual drought with physical abundance. Money cannot save you. Alcohol and drugs might temporarily numb your pain, but when you sober up, the problems remain.

When you try Jesus, even when problems face you, they don't seem as overwhelming. Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon me and learn of me. For my yoke is easy and my burden is lighter." We can cast our burdens on Jesus, and He can take care of them.

Becoming Expert at Hiding Our Pain
Many of us become experts at handling our problems by ourselves. We put on a plastic smile in front of others, pretending everything is fine. But when we're alone and the burden hits us, we need a shoulder to cry on.

Jesus is that burden bearer. He can satisfy your desires, heal your diseases, and save you from your sins. What is it that you desire today? Come to Jesus.

Jesus Will Find You in Your Secret Place
We become so expert at hiding from Jesus that He has to show up where we least expect Him. Maybe He has to come to that bar and sit beside you. Maybe He has to get into that company you're in and make you feel broken up inside.

Jesus is never going to leave you. That's why you're always thinking, "I shouldn't be in this spot." It's because Jesus loves you and He said, "I'm not going to leave you. I'm not going to forsake you. I am going to reach you."

What Happens When Jesus Transforms Your Life?
The woman at the well went back to her community after meeting Jesus and said, "Come see a man that showed me everything." When Jesus transforms your life, you are different.

That's why we sing songs like "Meet me by the river" and "I am going home on the morning train." When you meet Jesus, He gives you a new song: "This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long."

The Church Must Be Different
If we want others to come and experience a difference, we must first be different ourselves. It doesn't make sense to behave as badly as people in the world and then tell them to come to Jesus.

Change doesn't come from the outside in; it comes from the inside out. You can have your Sunday best, but if your heart isn't right, you're still a sinner heading to hell. You could be the best singer, musician, or preacher, but if your heart isn't right, you're just dressed up like a Christian.

Living Right After Salvation
When salvation hits you, you must be different. You can't preach on Sunday morning if on Saturday night you're sleeping in someone else's bed. You can't sing songs of victory if on Saturday night you're "boogie-woogie all the way."

The gospel doesn't change with modern times. The church must stand up for righteousness and holiness. When Jesus comes into your heart, He changes you from the inside out.

How Do You Know If You're Living Right?
The woman at the well dropped her bucket and ran back to her house. Some of you need to go back to the places you've been hiding from and tell them, "I can't come with you anymore."

The next time you receive that phone call or have that conversation with someone you know is wrong, you need to tell yourself, "I'm different today."

If you call Jesus Lord, then obey His word. Stop the backbiting, stop the gossiping, stop the "carry go bring come" (gossip). When was the last time you prayed? When was the last time you fasted? When was the last time you read your Bible?

Life Application
Today is the day to turn around and seek Jesus. If you don't know Him, don't leave this place without knowing Him. Jesus is meeting you at your well - whatever that well is for you. He's speaking into your heart right now.

Jesus doesn't care about your past. He can turn you around and change your midnight into day. If you are lost - meaning you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus - all you need to do is believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What "well" am I visiting to avoid facing my past or my issues?
• Am I trying to fill a spiritual void with physical pleasures?
• Have I been pretending everything is fine when I'm actually hurting inside?
• If I claim to follow Jesus, does my life reflect that in all areas?
• What one thing can I change this week to live more authentically as a follower of Christ?

This week, identify one area where you've been hiding from God. Take a step toward Him instead of away from Him. Remember, you cannot hide from God - and that's actually good news, because His desire is not to condemn you but to restore you.

Day 1: Meeting Jesus at Our Well
Devotional
We all have places where we hide—places we think no one will find us or discover our struggles. Like the woman at the well who came at noon to avoid others, we develop elaborate strategies to keep our pain private. But Jesus specializes in meeting us in these very places. He doesn't wait for us to clean ourselves up or figure everything out. Instead, He intentionally seeks us out right where we are, bringing hope and transformation to our places of shame and isolation.
Bible Verse
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." – Matthew 11:28–29
Quote
We become so expert in hiding from Jesus that Jesus has to show up where we least expect Him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for seeking me out even when I try to hide. Help me to stop running and instead embrace Your gentle invitation to find rest in You. Amen.
6:4 Prayer Prompts
* Reverence: Lord, I praise You for being the God who sees (El Roi), who meets me in my hiding places and offers rest.
* Response: I surrender my instinct to hide. I confess my tendency to isolate, and I open my heart to Your presence.
* Requests: Jesus, meet me in the secret places where I feel alone or ashamed. Help me receive Your rest and gentle care.
* Readiness: Help me walk into this day open and honest with You and others, trusting that You meet me right where I am.

Day 2: The Empty Pursuit
Devotional
How often do we try to fill our spiritual emptiness with physical things? Like the woman at the well who had multiple relationships, we might seek satisfaction in success, substances, or relationships. But these temporary fixes leave us even more empty and searching. Only Jesus can truly satisfy our deepest longings. He offers living water—not a quick fix, but a lasting transformation that wells up from within.
Bible Verse
"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst." – John 4:13–14
Quote
You cannot satisfy the spiritual drought with physical abundance. You need Jesus.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for trying to fill my life with substitutes for You. Help me to turn to You alone for true satisfaction. Amen.
6:4 Prayer Prompts
* Reverence: Lord, You are the Living Water. Only You can quench my deepest thirst.
* Response: I turn from the things I’ve tried to use to fill the void. I admit that they can’t satisfy me like You can.
* Requests: Fill me, Lord, with Your Spirit. Saturate my heart with living water that brings renewal.
* Readiness: Help me live this day drinking deeply from Your Word and presence, not from the world’s empty wells.

Day 3: Inside-Out Transformation
Devotional
Real change doesn't start with external modifications. We can't simply adjust our behavior or put on a better appearance. True transformation begins in the heart, working its way outward. When Jesus encounters us, He doesn't just alter our circumstances or behavior—He transforms our very nature.
Bible Verse
"Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father." – John 4:21
Quote
Change doesn't come from the outside in. Change comes from the inside out. Because if you change from the outside first, all you're doing is dressing up a dirty vessel.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, work deeply in my heart today. Transform me from the inside out, making me more like Jesus. Amen.
6:4 Prayer Prompts
* Reverence: God, You are the One who makes all things new. You don’t just fix; You transform.
* Response: I open my heart to You. Forgive me for focusing on appearances more than true inner change.
* Requests: Change my heart, Lord. Let Your Spirit work from within to mold me into Christ’s likeness.
* Readiness: As I go forward today, may my actions reflect the deep work You are doing in my heart.

Day 4: Leaving Our Water Jars
Devotional
When the woman at the well encountered Jesus, she left her water jar behind—abandoning her old way of life to share the good news. Sometimes following Jesus requires us to leave behind old habits, relationships, or patterns that no longer serve our new life in Christ.
Bible Verse
"Go, call your husband and come back." – John 4:16
Quote
The woman at the well, she dropped her bucket. Some of you, the places you’ve been hiding from, you gotta go back there and tell them, “I can’t come with you anymore.”
Prayer
Lord, give me courage to leave behind anything that keeps me from fully following You. Help me embrace the new life You offer. Amen.
6:4 Prayer Prompts
* Reverence: Lord, You are worthy of full surrender. You offer life that’s better than anything I leave behind.
* Response: I release the “water jars” I’ve been holding—things that once defined or distracted me.
* Requests: Give me discernment and strength to walk away from what no longer aligns with Your will.
* Readiness: May I walk boldly into the life You’re calling me to, carrying only what reflects Your glory.

Day 5: A New Introduction
Devotional
Jesus doesn't care about your past mistakes or current struggles. He's not interested in your resume of failures or successes. Instead, He offers a fresh start. When we meet Jesus, we meet someone who sees us completely and loves us perfectly.
Bible Verse
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth." – John 4:23
Quote
Let me introduce you to a man who won't disappoint you. Hallelujah. Let me introduce you to a man who don’t care about your past. Let me introduce you to a man who can turn you around.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for accepting me just as I am. Help me to fully receive Your love and share it with others. Amen.
6:4 Prayer Prompts
* Reverence: Jesus, You are the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. You welcome the broken and restore them.
* Response: I surrender my shame and doubt. I receive the fresh start You freely give.
* Requests: Help me live in the truth of Your acceptance and extend that grace to others.
* Readiness: Today, I step into the identity You’ve given me—fully loved, fully known, and fully Yours.

Summary
This sermon focuses on the story of the Woman at the Well from John 4, emphasizing that no one can hide from God. The pastor draws parallels between the Samaritan woman's attempts to avoid others due to her past and how people today try to hide their sins and struggles. The message emphasizes that Jesus intentionally seeks out those who are lost and broken, meeting them where they are, while also calling believers to live authentically Christian lives.

Intro Prayer
Dear Lord, as we gather to discuss Your Word, open our hearts and minds to receive Your truth. Help us to be honest with ourselves and with You about areas where we try to hide. Give us the courage to face our struggles and the wisdom to understand how You want to transform our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Ice Breaker
What's your favorite hiding spot from when you were a child playing hide and seek?

Key Verses

• John 4:1-42
• Matthew 11:28-30
• Romans 10:9-10

Questions

1. Why do you think the Samaritan woman chose to go to the well at noon instead of in the morning with the other women?
2. In what ways do people try to 'hide' from God or their problems today?
3. How does Jesus demonstrate intentionality in seeking out the woman at the well?
4. What does it mean to be 'transformed from the inside out' as mentioned in the sermon?
5. How can we tell the difference between genuine transformation and just putting on an outward appearance of Christianity?
6. What does it mean to 'live right' as a Christian?
7. How can we help create a church environment where people feel safe to be honest about their struggles?
8. What steps can we take to ensure we're not just acting religious but truly living transformed lives?

Life Application
This week, identify one area of your life where you've been 'hiding' from God or others. Make a commitment to bring that area into the light through prayer, confession to a trusted friend or mentor, and taking concrete steps toward change.

Key Takeaways

• No one can truly hide from God - He seeks us out where we are
• True transformation comes from the inside out, not just external changes
• Christians must live authentically, not just put on a religious appearance
• Jesus intentionally seeks those who are lost and broken
• Salvation requires both belief in the heart and confession with the mouth

Ending Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for seeking us out even when we try to hide. Give us the courage to step into Your light, to be honest about our struggles, and to allow You to transform us from the inside out. Help us to live authentic Christian lives that draw others to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.